Abstract: Process for the preparation of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolanes by reaction of epoxides with carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst, wherein at least one epoxy compound is mixed with at least one catalyst in the presence or absence of an inert solvent and is reacted at temperatures from 40.degree. to 180.degree. C. while introducing carbon dioxide at normal pressure or slightly increased pressure to form the corresponding organic carbonates. The 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolanes obtained are used to prepare synthetic resins containing urethane groups in the form of coatings and molded bodies.

Abstract: Hardener for epoxy resins based on(a) araliphatic or cycloaliphatic diamines with 4 amino hydrogen atoms, which are liquid at ambient temperature, or derivatives thereof with at least 3 amino hydrogen atoms,(b) optionally conventional modifiers for the polyamines according to (a) and(c) optionally conventional additives, containing(d) 0.1 to 10% by weight of primary aliphatic monoamines the alkyl groups of which contain 5 to 18 carbon atoms,and a process for hardening epoxy resins with hardeners of this kind.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of molded bodies and coatings which comprises reacting at least one epoxy compound containing more than one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule alone or in combination with at least one monoepoxide, with at least one substituted amine of formula ##STR1## which contains no free phenols and in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sup.2 is a radical of at least one of formulae ##STR2## and R.sup.